Combination identification card and key and lock therefor



Oct. 16, 1962 B. COTHRON 3,058,335

COMBINATION IDENTIFICATION CARD AND KEY AND LOCK THEREFOR Filed Feb. 5,1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 26 32 I I 2 H i T 44 iv INVENTOR.

LAWSON B. COTHRON Oct. 16, 1962 B. COTHRON COMBINATION IDENTIFICATIONCARD AND KEY AND LOCK THEREFOR Filed Feb. 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

LAWSON B. COTHRON United States Patent Ofifice Fatented Got. 16, rate3,058,335 CGMBINATION IDENTIFICATION CARD AND KEY AND LOCK THEREFORLawson B. Cothron, 4886 Jewel, San Diego, Calif. Filed Feb. 5, 1960,Ser. No. 7,004 Claims. (Cl. 70-355) The present invention relatesgenerally to looks and more particularly to a combination identificationcard and key and lock therefor.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an identificationcard having one end edge shaped to correspond to the operative edge of akey and a lock which is actuated by merely inserting the shaped edge ofthe card inthe lock.

Another object of this invention is to provide a card key which willoperate lever or pin-tumbler type locks adapted to receive the end ofthe card.

Another object of this invention is to provide a card key and lockcombination which can be used indepen dently or in conjunction with manytypes of locks, latches and the like in the manner of multiple keyarrangements.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a card key whichmay be combined with a conventional size identification card, easilycarried and handled.

A further object of this invention is to provide a card key and lockcombination wherein the card key can be retained in lock actuatingposition by a simple card holder, one field for such use relating to theignition lock conventional in automotive vehicles.

Finally, it is an object to provide a card key and lock combination ofthe aforementioned character which is simple and convenient to use andwhich will give generally efiicient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consistsin the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements andportions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification,particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawingswhich form a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a dual type lock incorporating thecard key, the cover plate being partially cut away;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3, but showing the cardkey removed and the mechanism locked;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view of the lock mechanism unlocked withthe bolt retracted;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view, as taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 8, of apin tumbler lock actuated by the card key;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8--$ of FIGURE 6.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elementsand portions throughout the specification and throughout the views ofthe drawings.

Referring now to FIGURES l5 of the drawings, the card key 10 is a fiat,generally rectangular element preferably dimensioned to correspond to aconventional identification or credit card as carried in a wallet. Thefaces of the card key may be printed, or otherwise impressed with anytype of identification or information and may even include an embossedcharge plate as used in charge account billing. One end edge of the cardkey 10 is formed to provide a plurality of staggered steps 12 which formthe key edge 14, the two ends of the stepped edge being retained wholeand constituting stop portions 16. In the use of the card key 10 theonly stress involved results from pressure transmitted to the key edge14, thus the card may be made from plastic, as indicated, from metal, orany other suitable material of suflicient rigidity.

The lock 20 used for illustration herein is a dual type lock such asemployed on safe deposit boxes and the like and normally requires twokeys, one of which is now replaced by the card key 10. This lock ismerely one example of the use of the card key and is by no meanslimiting. As illustrated, the lock 20 comprises a generally rectangularbox like casing 22 having a removable side panel 24 for access to themechanism. Inside the casing 22 is a bolt 26 having a tongue 28 whichextends through one end of the casing to engage a striker plate orsimilar member, not shown. The bolt 26 has a channel portion 30extending along one side of the casing 22, said channel portion havingan inwardly turned retaining flange 32 in which are severallongitudinally spaced notches 34. The end of the bolt 26 adjacent thetongue 23 is engaged by a locking mechanism actuated by a key 36,indicated in broken line in FIGURES l and 5, said key being inserted ina rotatable barrel 38 having an arm 40 which engages a socket 42 in saidbolt and moves the bolt longitudinally as the barrel is turned. The bolt26 is prevented from moving by a spring loaded catch 44 which isdisengaged only by the key 36. This type of lock mechanism is well knownand is not claimed as a part of the present disclosure, being includedonly as an example.

The mechanism actuated by the card key 10 comprises a plurality oflocking members, illustrated as levers 46- pivotally mounted on a hingepin 48 terminally secured in end supports 50, said hinge pin beingdisposed parallel to the direction of sliding motion of the bolt 26. Thelevers 46 are spaced to fit into the notches 34 in the retaining flange34 and are held in place by spacers 52 on the hinge pin 48, said leversbeing free to swing perpendicularly to said retaining flange through thenotches. Each of the levers 46 is biased outwardly from the casing 22 bya leaf spring 54, as in a conventional type spring lever lock in whichthe levers are operated by a normal key. Each lever 46 has a flat topedge 56 and a generally arcuate end edge 58 in which is a slot 60dimensioned to clear the edge of retaining flange 32. The slots 60 ofthe various levers 46 are disposed at diiferent distances from the topedges 56 so that, when all of the slots are aligned along the retainingflange 32, the levers are at difierent angular positions relative toeach other. The steps 12 on the card key 10 are arranged to hold thelevers 46 in the diiferent relative positions with the slots 60 aligned,as in FIGURE 2. To ensure proper alignment, the side panel 24 isprovided with an entry slot 62 to admit the card key 10, and within thecasing 22 are fixed stops 64 on which the stop portions 16 of said cardkey rest, so limiting the depth of insertion. Thus the mechanism isunlocked by simply inserting the card key 10 through the entry slot 62as far as the stops 64.

With the levers 46 actuated by the card key 10, the key 36 is thenturned to retract the bolt 26, the retaining flange 32 sliding throughthe now aligned slots 60 to the open position, as in FIGURE 5. If thenotches 34 and levers 4-6 are evenly spaced as illustrated, thewithdrawal of the card key 10 allows said levers to return to theirnormal position, biased by springs 54, the levers then being disposed insaid notches and locking the bolt 26 in open or retracted position.

It should be understood that the bolt 26 need not be actuated by the key36 swinging the arm 40, but may be operated by an extended bar or handleas in a conventional slide bolt. The dual lock configuration is,however, particularly suitable for use in safe deposit boxes, or thelike, in which arrangement one key is held by the deposit establishmentand another carried by the depositor, so that a box can be opened onlywhen both keys are present. The use of a card key provides properidentification of the depositor and is more diflicult to duplicate thana conventional key, since the identification must be reproduced inaddition to the stepped key edge. Further, since the card key isnormally carried in a wallet, loss is not likely to occur as with a keycarried loosely in a pocket. The card key 10 may be made with anyreasonable number of steps 12 according to the number of levers 46 inthe lock, and each step may be cut to any one of several depths, theresult being a very large number of possible combinations. The steps 12can be made by a simple hand operated tool having individuallyadjustable cutters which can be set at coded positions corresponding tothe desired configuration of the key edge 14, although this is not apart of the present disclosure.

As a further example, FIGURES 68 illustrate a pin tumbler type lockactuated by a card key '70, similar in all respects to the card key 10except for the configuration of the steps 72 forming the key edge 74,the ends of which have stop portions 76. The lock 80 has a casing 82with a front panel 84 and is secured to a supporting member 86, such asa door, drawer front, or the like. Inside the casing 82 are an uppersupport block 88 and a lower suport block 90, between which is mounted alongitudinally slidable bolt 92 having a tongue 93 projecting from oneend of said casing. The bolt 92 has an upwardly extending, longitudinalretaining flange 94 slidable in a guide channel 96 in the upper supportblock 88, and a downwardly extending guide flange 98 slidable in a guidechannel 100 in the lower support block 90. The bolt 92 is acauated by ahandle 102 protruding through a suitable opening 104 in the front panel84 and supporting member 86.

In the upper support block 88 are movable locking members comprising aplurality of pin tumblers 106, which are axially slidable on axesperpendicular to the axis of motion of the bolt 92 and to the plane ofthe retaining flange 94, said pin tumblers thus sliding generally fromfront to rear in the lock and being biased toward the front panel 84 bysprings 198. Forward motion of the pin tumblers 106 is limited by aplate 110 between the upper support block 88 and the front panel 84. Theretaining flange 94 has a plurality of notches 112 spaced to fit underthe pin tumblers 166, which thus lock the bolt 92 against sliding. Eachpin tumbler 106 has a transverse slot 114, the slots being disposed atdifferent distances from the ends thereof, so that when the pin tumblersare held at specific displaced positions, all of said slots are alignedallowing the retaining flange 94 to slide longitudinally.

The card key 76 is inserted through an entry slot 116 extending throughthe supporting member 86, front panel 84, plate 110 and into the uppersupport block 88, said entry slot ending just short of the guide channel96 and the end wall thereof providing a stop face 118. With the stopportions 76 of the card key 741 in contact with the stop face 118, thesteps 72 are arranged to hold the pin tumblers 106 with their slots 114in alignment along the retaining flange 94, as in FIGURE 7, allowing thebolt 92 to move freely. As illustrated, the entry slot 116 is inclineddownwardly and outwardly to prevent moisture from entering the lockmechanism, which is a useful feature when the lock is used on anexterior door. However, it should be understood that inclination of theentry slot and lock mechanism is not essential, but is merely anadditional feature which extends the practicability of the lock forexterior use.

As a further convenience, the card key 70 may be held in a small tray12% fixed to the supporting member 86 immediately below the entry slot116, said tray having an 4 upwardly extending flange 122 which retainsthe card key. The length of the tray 120 is such that the card key 70 isheld with a slight bow along its length, so ensuring adequate pressureto hold the pin tumblers 106 in unlocked position, as in FIGURE 6. Withthe card key 70 thus held, the lock is secured in unlocked condition,leaving the hands free. For easy removal of the card key 70, the tray isprovided with an access slot 124, which also serves as a moisturedrainage outlet in external usage.

In each instance, the lock is operated by a card key which is merelyinserted through a narrow slot, the lock having its movable lockingmembers aligned along the slot so that all locking members are actuatedsimultaneously by the shaped edge of the card key. While special lockconstruction is necessary to cooperate with the card key, the componentsused are of conventional type and can be made with existing equipment.The combination of a key with an identification card makes illegalduplication difiicult, but provides complete return information in theevent of loss.

Many different types of locks may be adapted for use with the card key,either operated entirely by the card key or in combination withadditional locking means. As an example, the arrangement illustrated inFIGURES 6-8 may be used to operate a vehicle ignition system, the cardkey being the owners card issued with some vehicles. Other uses andarrangements of lock mechanisms will be apparent to those skilled in theart.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from aconsideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical detailsthereof, taken in connection with the drawings and the above recitedobjects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved bythis invention.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the inventiondisclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scopeof the invention, and that the specification and drawings are to beconsidered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. The combination of an identification card and a lock, comprising: athin, generally flat identification card of the type ordinarily carriedin a wallet, and having identification means thereon such as a per-sonsname, address and description, said card having a key edge; said keyedge having a plurality of staggered steps therein; a lock having a lockmechanism including a plurality of locking members positionable in aparticular staggered relation to release the lock mechanism; said lockhaving an entry slot adjacent said locking members through which saididentification card is insertable to engage the locking members; saidkey edge having stop portions at the ends thereof; and fixed stop meansin said lock adjacent said entry slot for engaging the stop portions atthe ends of said key edge, said staggered steps being dis posed to holdsaid locking members in said particular staggered relation when saididentification card is held with said key edge against the lockingmembers and with said stop portions abutting said stops.

2. A lock and key combination, comprising: a thin fiat slightly flexiblecard element having one key edge; said key edge having a plurality ofadjacent staggered steps therein; a lock having a lock mechanismincluding a plurality of locking members positionable in a particularstaggered relation to release the lock mechanism; said lock having anentry slot adjacent said locking members through which said card elementis insertable to engage the locking members; said key edge having stopportions only at the ends thereof; fixed stop means in said lockadjacent said entry slot; said staggered steps being disposed to holdsaid locking members in said particular staggered relation when saidcard element is held with said key edge against the locking members andwith said stop portions abutting said stops; means for holding said cardelement in a slightly bowed condition with said key edge in firm contactwith said locking members, said holding means comprising acard-retaining tray fixedly mounted externally of said entry slot, saidcard-retaining tray having means thereon engageable with the edge ofsaid card element opposite said key edge of said card element.

3. A combination according to claim 2 wherein said last means is aflanged portion on said tray.

4. A lock and key combination, comprising: a thin, slightly flexible,resilient, generally rectangular flat card element having one key edgealong one of the edges of said element, said key edge having a pluralityof adjacent staggered steps therein and stop portions only at the endsof said key edge; a lock having fixedly positioned stop members and amovable bolt; a plurality of spaced boltlocking members positionable ina particular staggered relation to release said bolt; said lock having anarrow entry slot adjacent to and extending transversely across saidlocking members, whereby, when said key edge of said card element isinserted through said entry slot, said key edge engages said lockingmembers and said stop members of said lock, said steps being disposed tohold said locking members in said particular staggered relation whensaid stop portions are resting on said stop means; a card retaining trayfixed relative to said lock, adjacent to and extending outwardly fromsaid entry slot; said tray having an end flange means for engaging theend of said card element remote from said key edge and holding said cardelement in firm contact with said locking members; and said tray havingmeans, comprising an access slot adjacent said flange, to facilitateremoval of said card element.

5. A lock and key combination according to claim 4, wherein said entryslot and said tray slope downwardly and outwardly from the lock topromote moisture drainage from the vicinity of the entry slot.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 46,721Stafford Mar. 7, 1865 556,309 Deibert Mar. 10, 1896 584,532 Welker June15, 1897 1,277,241 Mortensen Aug. 27, 1918 1,669,262 Plumb May 8, 19282,159,305 White May 23, 1939 2,524,696 Ellis Oct. 3, 1950 2,669,857Ramien Feb. 23, 1954

